Planning Bill

I am grateful to see the Government’s consideration that the Scottish planning authorities might need some assistance, although as I have followed the Bill—I must apologise that my stamina was not up to that of those who were here when these matters were considered around midnight last Tuesday—it has seemed to me that much of what might happen in Scotland is actually excluded in the way the Government have drawn it up. Obviously it is nice to have an umbrella clause to protect any assistance that might need to be given, but it struck me as strange under Clause 13, where the Bill allows for any legal challenge, that Scotland is excluded. I know the law is different in Scotland, but a great many of the issues that are included in the national infrastructure are for non-devolved issues. At some points Scotland will be involved, and I am grateful that it is being taken care of in this case.